Modern Desert Sanctuary in Utah: The Buddhist Retreat by Imbue Design

This modern dwelling in Grover, Utah was especially developed by Imbue Design to be a desert sanctuary for Tibetan Buddhist practice. Moreover, the building serves as a secondary family residence. Due to the presence of large windows throughout, the indoor-outdoor connection is optimum. The inhabitants are thus offered exquisite views of the surrounding natural environment consisting of a giant red plateau with volcanic rocks and twisted juniper trees.

According to the architects, “the entry deck of the house projects horizontally out into space toward the red rock gateway of the park as the topography slopes down toward the verdant valley below. Down through the deck the user descends toward the entry into a space shaded from the desert sun by the deck above. Entering into the house, the main living space again directs the view outward through a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall frame of the lush green valley and red plateau beyond“. How would you comment on the architecture of this slightly-unusual Buddhist Retreat?